Pakistan’s Imprisoned PTI Leaders Call for New Elections

Five senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, jailed in Kot Lakhpat Jail, have issued a bold demand for fresh, free, and fair general elections in Pakistan, citing escalating instability in key provinces. Their open letter, released on July 12, 2025, underscores the urgent need for political reform amid a deteriorating security landscape and accuses the federal government of failing to address critical challenges, potentially exposing the nation to external threats.

The letter, signed by PTI vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, paints a grim picture of Pakistan’s current state. They argue that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are grappling with rampant terrorism and unrest, with Balochistan becoming a hotspot for anti-state elements. “The federal government’s refusal to cooperate with the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is a failed policy,” Qureshi stated, questioning the logic of shunning dialogue in a time of crisis. The leaders warn that without immediate elections, Pakistan risks repeating the mistakes of the 1970 debacle, potentially allowing foreign powers like India to exploit the chaos.

The PTI leaders’ call comes as their party faces intense pressure, with founder Imran Khan imprisoned since August 2023 and recent judicial rulings undermining PTI’s electoral prospects. The Supreme Court’s decision to deny PTI reserved parliamentary seats has further fueled their resolve to push for systemic change. The jailed leaders also criticized the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for allegedly violating the 2006 Charter of Democracy, accusing them of manipulating the February 2024 elections through the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). “Democracy cannot survive when institutions are politicized,” Rashid said, urging citizens to demand constitutional integrity.

As PTI gears up for nationwide protests starting August 5, 2025, to secure Khan’s release, the jailed leaders’ letter signals a broader fight for Pakistan’s democratic soul. Their demand for fresh elections reflects a deep-seated belief that only a transparent mandate can restore stability. With the government holding firm control over state mechanisms, PTI’s path to reform is fraught with challenges, but their resolve remains unshaken, setting the stage for a pivotal political showdown.